How do novice divers find dive buddies???

[gr8ful divr]

I am about to get certified in the next week and I can already see my first big obstacle on the horizon... how does someone new to diving find someone to dive with? I just learned that there is a very good chance that my class may end up just being me and the instructor since two of the other people registered may take the class a bit later. While the attention I receive may be increased obviously I will miss out on the chance to get to know another new diver who might also be as eager as I am to get wet. I have two friends who dive but one hasn't been in years & doesn't seem that interested in going much. The other guy dives on big vacations with his wife and hasn't seemed extremely eager to do anything other than that. I would really like to practice as much as possible early on so that when I do go on a big trip I'll be able to get more bang for my buck. The shop I am doing my training with seems to be heavily oriented toward cave/tech diving which will be great down the road but may not help me much in the beginning. They don't have any "novice" trips planned for a bit so it looks like I'll have to find people and places to dive on my own. I live in Atlanta and I would like to do a few weekend trips a month before going on a dive vacation (I already have one planned for May). Any ideas on how I can find good buddies to dive with??? Can I just show up at a dive location and expect to find a buddy or do I need to have that lined up beforehand? I'd love to find a buddy more experienced than myself to learn from though I know that not many very experienced divers relish spending a weekend with a total newbie. Any ideas?

 

[radinator]

It would help if you filled out your profile so we can see from where you are posting. [edited for proper grammar ]

My quick answer is to find a dive club. Which dive club that would be depends on your location.

 

[dwaters]

You will find, like any hobby/sport, that there will always be those that love to mentor
and those that don't want to be bothered by a newbee. As a new diver myself(only 22 open water dives) I found both. Go to your local SB forum and make yourself know that you want to learn and excited about this adicting habit. I see that you said your'e from Atlanta so try this http://www.scubaboard.com/forumdisplay.php?f=83
Enjoy!

 

[DiverBuoy]

I am about to get certified in the next week and I can already see my first big obstacle on the horizon... how does someone new to diving find someone to dive with? I just learned that there is a very good chance that my class may end up just being me and the instructor since two of the other people registered may take the class a bit later. While the attention I receive may be increased obviously I will miss out on the chance to get to know another new diver who might also be as eager as I am to get wet. I have two friends who dive but one hasn't been in years & doesn't seem that interested in going much. The other guy dives on big vacations with his wife and hasn't seemed extremely eager to do anything other than that. I would really like to practice as much as possible early on so that when I do go on a big trip I'll be able to get more bang for my buck. The shop I am doing my training with seems to be heavily oriented toward cave/tech diving which will be great down the road but may not help me much in the beginning. They don't have any "novice" trips planned for a bit so it looks like I'll have to find people and places to dive on my own. I live in Atlanta and I would like to do a few weekend trips a month before going on a dive vacation (I already have one planned for May). Any ideas on how I can find good buddies to dive with??? Can I just show up at a dive location and expect to find a buddy or do I need to have that lined up beforehand? I'd love to find a buddy more experienced than myself to learn from though I know that not many very experienced divers relish spending a weekend with a total newbie. Any ideas?

Your "first" buddy is your instructor. After class is over if you like the instructor sign up immediately for the next class (continued dive education is a fantastic way to keep diving). Many of us took 4 or 5 classes representing 95% of the first dives we ever made. I definitely recommend you don't stop taking classes until you've finished a rescue course - in order to be a better buddy. If after all those classes you still haven't been afforded the opportunity to make a new dive buddy ask around your LDS and other divers for a local dive club and join up, then put forth the effort to attend club functions and share your story, when there are open dive opportunities, jump on them (usually early morning Sat and Sun parking lot meetings, to prep for the dive).

If you live in the northern hemisphere remember many dive bears are in hibernation right now (though not all) so you may want to resume classes in warmer weather to increase your chances.

 

[almitywife]

does the dive shop you learnt from have an active dive club?

thats usually the easiest way. hubby's dive shop has tuesday night dives, weekend shore and boat dives plus monthly bbq's/boat/shore dives.

its a great way to build up a buddy list, get some first site dives with a DM and have fun

cheers

 

[Jim Ernst]

you need to fill out your profile "please" as a divemaster i dive with new divers all of the time and if in my area i will be happy to show you around , and so will most divemasters and many instructors as i will be next week, and we also can help you find great and confident dive buddies with lots of experience. thanks for helping us help you!!!! jim ernst

 

[TSandM]

Find out if the shop where you got certified has an e-group. Ours did, and I found my first non-instructor dive buddy that way -- a very generous woman who was willing to babysit a VERY tenuous novice. I just wrote an e-mail to the group asking for experienced divers willing to dive with a newbie. I have gone out with someone else who did the same thing, and I dove with him because I remembered what it meant to me.

Also use your local forum here on SB. I have found buddies here, and I found my mentor here, which has been invaluable to me. Finding someone who wants to help you learn can really speed the process of developing into a more competent diver.

Our area has a number of very active dive clubs as well, which are always organizing shore and boat dives. Your LDS should be able to give you the names of some local groups you can look up on the internet.

Although I am lucky to live in an area which is very conducive to year-round diving, I have still been amazed at how easy it has been to find people with whom to dive. I have more trouble finding the time than the buddies

 

[tjmills]

It is rare to dive with an operation that won't hook you up with a buddy. Good/Bad or otherwise you will find one for every dive.

It would also help if we did know where you were. Do you mean while you are on vacation or at home?

 

[BabyDuck]

i got lucky - i found sb! through sb, i found ncdivers.com, and they are the best buddies ever. we dive A LOT! they were very very welcoming to me when i was very very green, and are as proud of my improvement as i am. of my 118 dives, only one has been with a buddy i didn't meet online.

so see what you can find at your local group here on sb.

 

[Rick Murchison]

I live in Atlanta

Post in the Lake Lanier Loonies forum; they'll take care of you.
Rick